The Moth Puppies and Football: The Moth Podcast
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Jan 30, 2026 Alex Hyen, software designer and storyteller, shares a reflective tale about family expectations, a Mickey Mouse football toy, and reconnecting with his grandfather. Eliana Smith, artist and longtime animal foster-volunteer, recounts training a puppy named Juniper for the Puppy Bowl and the bittersweet moments around her selection. The conversation centers on pageantry, personal identity, and unexpected connections.
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From First Foster To Puppy Bowl Star
- Eliana Smith fostered over 40 dogs starting at age 12 and cared for a pregnant dog that produced ten puppies on the 4th of July.
- She trained one puppy, Juniper, as a Puppy Bowl contender and later watched her get adopted while still seeing her in the neighborhood.
Early Exposure Builds Confident Puppies
- Expose puppies to varied sounds and environments early to shape confident, well-adjusted dogs according to Eliana's training efforts.
- Consistent socialization and milestone checks help puppies become focused, crate-trained companions ready for public events.
A Stolen Moment At The Screening
- Eliana discovered she was too young to attend the Puppy Bowl studio after Juniper was selected, so a shelter volunteer took the dog to New York City instead.
- At a local public screening months later, the volunteer revealed she had been the one who transported Juniper, diminishing Eliana's personal moment.